Kot Diji Fort is an archaeological site in Khairpur Sindh. Sindh province is famous for many remarkable historical sites. It is home to the Indus valley civilization, one of the oldest civilizations of the world. The unique aspect of this Fort is that, it was built on the same land of Indus valley civilization, which dates back from 2500 to 3000 BC. Sindh is the region of the subcontinent that has been the target of external aggression due to its specific geography. That is why many ancient forts in Sindh today seem to reflect the condition of the past. History has shown that the people here had a hard time defending themselves.
Kot Diji means “Fort of the Daughter” and it is also known as Fort Ahmadabad. It was named after Ahmad, a Persian architect who designed the admirable architecture of this historical fort in Sindh. It was built from 1785 to 1795 by Mir Suhrab Khan Talpur for a defensive purpose. Mir Suhrab Khan, the founder ruler of the Khairpur state, built three forts to protect his state, one being Imam Garh Fort, the other Shah Garh Fort, and the third Ahmedabad Fort which is commonly called Kot Diji.
Structure of Kot Diji Fort
Kot Diji Fort is situated on Rohri hills at a height of 110 feet from the ground, with 30 feet high walls. It was built with locally available kiln-baked bricks and no stone was used in its construction because the stone of this region brittle very easily. When it’s hit, it breaks into many pieces. The Fort spread over an area of 1.8 km, with three strategically placed towers and a 5 km mud wall on the outside. The fort wall has been segmented by more than 50 bastions.
When you enter the Fort, a royal gate which is commonly known as “Shahi Darwaza” that has been built in its southern part is the only entrance to Kot Diji Fort. The royal gate is 13 feet high and 10 feet wide, made of hardwood with more than 234 pointed iron spikes that make it elephant proof to make it immune to the attacks of the enemy. The Fort is divided by three gates and has the same size and shape. It is one of the last forts to be built in Sindh.
There is a Mir-e-Haram; a place was made for the residence of the nobles in the Fort, which includes some rooms, and a courtyard. The interior of Mir-e-Haram is adorned with carvings, the beauty of which has diminished due to past time circumstances. The glorious fortress of the princes is completely silent and desolate today. The Fort also contains an ammunition depot, water reservoir, a prison, courtroom, and numerous cells for residence. The shrine of Sufi Dad Shaheed is located on a rock in the middle of Fort.
Book amazing Tours to Pakistan and witness the beauty
The view of the whole city from the fort is very beautiful, especially the palm trees and greenery spread all over. The scenic beauty, architecture, and history of this fort make it one of the most astonishing places to visit in Sindh. If you are a history lover and love to visit archaeological sites do not miss the opportunity to visit the Ranikot Fort and Mahanjo Daro in the same province Sindh Pakistan.
Location of Kot Diji Fort
Kot Diji Fort, located in the town of Kot Diji in Khairpur District. Khairpur is one of the most picturesque regions of Sindh and is famous for its palm trees and green land. It is about 25 KM south of Khairpur and more than 400 KM from Karachi.
